AR 10, what to avoid in a used one?

[zeplin]

I've been waiting for over 2 weeks to see a "loaded with toys" AR 10 for $650. Supposedly I will get to take a look at it Monday.

What things should I look for in determining whether to buy it or not? I've been salivating like Pavlov's dog ever since I heard about it. Just don't want to be throwing away good money.

[Blackdog F4i]

If it's an AR-10 and it's got all it's bits, then buy it. You can do a lot of fixing for the price difference between $650 and new.

[aguide]

Dang Zeplin, I'm jealous.
I can't advise you on specifics, but I've heard good things about this one, and you can compare to it...or look seriously if the $650 falls through.
http://www.dpmsinc.com/store/products/?prod=5355&cat=1737
($989)
:)

[Fëanor]

Feel the action; make sure it's nice and smooth.

Check for rust all over any metal part of the weapon that's visible. This includes using a bore light to look down the bore and make sure there isn't visible pitting/rust inside.

[zeplin]

Dang Zeplin, I'm jealous.
I can't advise you on specifics, but I've heard good things about this one, and you can compare to it...or look seriously if the $650 falls through.
http://www.dpmsinc.com/store/products/?prod=5355&cat=1737
($989)
:)

Don't be jeolous. I haven't seen it yet to know it's real. Anyway I looked at the link and it raised some questions.

Upper Receiver:

Thick walled, extruded from 6066-T6 aluminum
Hard coat anodized per Mil Spec
No dust cover IS THIS NORMAL?
Snag free design, smooth side look
No shell deflector IS THIS NORMAL?
No forward assist IS THIS NORMAL?
Right hand ejection
Raised Picatinny rail for easy scope mounting

[David Hineline]

Your lack of knowledge and description does not help us much. AR-10 just like AR-15 is a brand name, it really only describes an original AR10 rifle which is totally different than current production guns, or a current production gun made by Armalite. So looking at the DPMS website the rifle you will look at might not even be a similar design or the same rifle at all. At $650 it would have to be in terrible condition or broken not to be worth that much money. If you can find out which company manufactured it, we could give you better information.

[Blackdog F4i]

zep, when you said AR-10 I ASSumed that you were talking about an Armalite AR10. Armalite owns the AR10 trademark so only Armalite rifles can legally be called AR10's.

If it's not an Armalite rifle, can you provide a link or at least a brand name for the one you are considering?

[Sleuth]

Along with the gun, check the magazines - how many, what condition, are they still manufactured? There were some AR10's made that use proprietary mags, and the mags are rare and worth BIG money.

[zeplin]

This is about all I know about it from jwise thread "So you want to buy an AR-15, huh?" http://forums.officer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=81462&page=18

Post # 437
Did Winchester ever make an AR? Neighbor has a fellow worker say he has one for sale made by Winchester. If they do, are they work looking at? and what would one be worth(ballpark figure)?

Post #439
After I posted I googled Winchester AR and discovered that there is a Winchester Arkansas. Scrolled down and saw Winchester .308 so I figured the gun in question could be chambered for a .308 Winchester. Won't know for sure without seeing it. Supposed to be loaded with toys. Asking price is $650.

Neighbor is fairly certain it is a AR in .308 cal

That is the extent of my knowledge on it up to this point.

[Monkeybomb]

Zeplin,

I'm willing to bet its a Winchester Model 70 bolt action rifle chambered in 308. (below) I have never heard of an AR made by winchester. Otherwise the things mentioned on the dpms site are normal for the type of rifle in 308.

http://www.brownprecision.com/images/light-varminter-desert-camo-700.jpg

[Blackdog F4i]

+1. I am not aware of any AR pattern rifle made by Winchester.

[zeplin]

Zeplin,

I'm willing to bet its a Winchester Model 70 bolt action rifle chambered in 308. (below) I have never heard of an AR made by winchester. Otherwise the things mentioned on the dpms site are normal for the type of rifle in 308.

My neighbor(ex-Marine) who works with the guy, seems to think it is an AR type even though he hasn't seen it. Hopefully tomorrow I will know and I'll either have a new addition to the family or I'll still have a few dollars to play with somewhere else.

[zeplin]

I think my neighbor(ex-Marine) killed too many brains cells drinking or he doesn't ask enough questions, or the guy that has it is an idiot. It is now a 5.56, not a .308. Rick thought I wasn't interested when he found that out. BDA! Told him I was still interested. So maybe I will get to see whatever the heck this thing that is loaded with toys is tomorrow. SHEEEEEEESH!!

[Blackdog F4i]

Watch it be a Smith & Wesson AR. (which would be a hell of a deal for $650)

[Sgt. Slaughter]

I hope it's not pink....

[zeplin]

Watch it be a Smith & Wesson AR. (which would be a hell of a deal for $650)

Seriously? What brand would not be a good deal?

[zeplin]

I hope it's not pink....

From the lack of info and misinfo I've gotten it could be. :eek::D:rolleyes:

[Sleuth]

WARNING:
Never refer to a member of the USMC as an EX-Marine. They are Former Marines. Once they get through boot camp, they are Marines until they die.

You run the risk of a serious "stress interview" if you call any Marine an Ex-Marine!

[Blackdog F4i]

Most of us accept that civilians don't know this.

Another service member making this mistake will be corrected rapidly.

[dbphotos]

WARNING:
Never refer to a member of the USMC as an EX-Marine. They are Former Marines. Once they get through boot camp, they are Marines until they die.

You run the risk of a serious "stress interview" if you call any Marine an Ex-Marine!

My father has been dead for 30 years and he is still a Marine. :D

[dbphotos]

I did a search on GunBroker.com for AR10 and there were quite a few results including this one: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=115110474

So, it really could be anything.

Check out the 2nd video on this page, pretty cool. http://www.coastalgun.com/hear.htm

[zeplin]

WARNING:
Never refer to a member of the USMC as an EX-Marine. They are Former Marines. Once they get through boot camp, they are Marines until they die.

You run the risk of a serious "stress interview" if you call any Marine an Ex-Marine!

Took ya long enough. :D;) I know you refer to yourselves as Former Marines. Just checking your reflexes.:D

[Monkeybomb]

The link you brought up was a silencer for an m-14 or a AR-10 with a picture of a bolt action rifle with a silencer.

I did a search on GunBroker.com for AR10 and there were quite a few results including this one: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=115110474

So, it really could be anything.

Check out the 2nd video on this page, pretty cool. http://www.coastalgun.com/hear.htm

[Sleuth]

DISCLAIMER:
While I have many friends who were in The Corps, I was never granted admission. Seems you had to hear in both ears, so THEY could make you deaf. So I did 27 years as a Fed instead.

But I have the highest admiration for all those who served, especially MARINES.

Keep in mind, it is The Marines Hymn, NOT the Marine Corps Hymn.

[zeplin]

Finally I have the mystery gun in hand.

Looks like somebody tried to go the cheap route when building an AR

A2 Upper made by Cavalry Arms

16" 5.56mm 1:9 twist chrome lined barrel with CAV-Comp
Flash Hider

The barrel is not stamped

FSB no 'F' stamp.
It does have C99 and what appears to be R l in a circle followed by a 2 on R side

It appears to have M4 ramps

VFG & rail plastic, needs to be trashed

Scope with adjustable illuminated ret. Chinese ACCUSHOT. Flipup covers.
4 possibly 8 power. No markings indicating.

Lower made by Doubel Star Corp, Winchester, KY. Definitely needs wedge kit

3 position stock. MFR unknown

Less than 300rds fired

Hiccups on Wolf ammo

Had the foregrip off earlier and looked like might have a gas leak

Firing pin not fully shrouded

2 new 30rd mags

8 well used 30rd mags

5 well used 10rd mags

Asking price $650. firm

Weather and time permitting, I will run a few rounds thru it tomorrow.

Would I trust my life on this gun? NO!

Can I make a profit reselling it? Probably, to the right dummy.

Should I buy or pass?

[Sgt. Slaughter]

Pass.

http://www.cavalryarms.com/

[Blackdog F4i]

Offer $500 and walk if they balk. If it's a plinker/toy then no worries. If it was going to be a defensive rifle, then you would need to sink some money into it.

If it helps I am going to be looking at having my local FFL order me three new Doublestar Lowers.

[Sleuth]

Gents, let me just say that for 3 days I have been trying to contact an AR manufacturer to order some parts. Their phone is busy all day. Local gun shops are selling out of AR's and AK's, and cannot get new stock.

Once you get an AR, any AR, you can build it into anything you want! So make sure you can buy what you want before you are left in the cold.

[zeplin]

Gents, let me just say that for 3 days I have been trying to contact an AR manufacturer to order some parts. Their phone is busy all day. Local gun shops are selling out of AR's and AK's, and cannot get new stock.

Once you get an AR, any AR, you can build it into anything you want! So make sure you can buy what you want before you are left in the cold.

Sleuth, I was thinking the same thing until I ran a few rds thru it. Gonna have to pass on it.:(:(:(

[Monkeybomb]

I have seem alot of complete AR's around here. No shortage as far as today goes.

[Sleuth]

Zeplin, that is the acid test. But if you still want one, start looking now!
There are a couple of gently used M4 clones in my area for $700 right now.

My Match grade (Heavy Heavy barrel) is for sale for $1200, if all you want is to shoot little groups on paper. It's too heavy for a 'working' gun, and I have other match rifles.